Emotiva Audio ERC-3 Balanced CD Player & Transport

What happens when manufacturers' chips (IC's) exceed the limits of human hearing? Let me state this another way. If two amplifiers subjected to a subtractive test result in zero signal output then no one on the planet can tell one from the other in a double blind test... no one. Some golden eared internet 'experts' will tell you they can and worse give long flowery descriptions of what said audio component does or doesn't do. The problem is if they can't do it in a double blind test then everything they say is nonsense. This goes for audio critics as well, worse for them is the fact that their reviews (read opinions) are often biased by the ads they sell and the free components they get.Everyone gets to choose from the same components, the ones I initially mentioned that exceed human hearing limits, whether they make a $5000.00 or a $500.00 piece of equipment. You can go further like winding silver transformers but in all the gymnastics if you can't hear it in a double blind test you're extra money is ... well, circling the drain in your bathroom. There are a couple of well known audio 'critics' who I would like to challenge to a double blind test with some of the audio cables out today, I think there would be a lot of very embarrassed people, but that's another story.This is not to say that all audio equipment sounds the same, it doesn't, the problem is the cost, the media bias and the plain old internet nonsense attached to audio equipment by all these 'experts'.I'm not an expert, I've spent over 50 years in electronics designing some pretty sophisticated stuff but I would never say I was an expert. What I will say is that I can look at specs, examine the craftsmanship of a product and the circuits within it and give a decent idea of what went into its construction, how worthy it is, and how good the circuits are. I did that with the ERC-3... I'm still scratching my head that these guys can make something so accurate and robust for the price they sell it for. This is a high quality unit, I think if you audition one you will find it as capable and pleasing to listen to and use as I did.That's it!(I'll save the foolish nonsense for the 'critics' and 'experts'.)

I recently became interested in listening to my extensive CD collection once again (the last few years just listening to music via my iPod) and I was looking to replace an old Sony ES that I bought in 1990 which I really enjoyed. As I was doing my research I had a few criteria: Wanted solid engineering and build (nothing cheap), a $500 price point, good looks, and of course great sound. My research led me to the Emotiva ERC-3, and when it went on sale during the holidays I decided to purchase one.I am very happy with this CD player as it has already exceeded my expectations. It really started to sound better after several hours of burn in. Right now it has about 100 hours of continuous operation and it is operating flawlessly and sounds great.If I could describe the sound, it would be more detailed than my previous CD player. Transients are much more apparent, especially in the low end (drums) where the bass is much tighter. After listening to many old favorites, I have often said "that's something new, haven't heard that before". That's why I wanted a new player - to hear the advances in CD technology and bring out the best sound in the CD's that I've collected over the years.It has brought out the best in my speakers and integrated amplifier, showing how important a good source is. The display shows when you're playing an HD CD. I had several in my collection that I didn't know were HD until I put them in this player. Sound reproduction for standard and HD material is outstanding. I'm once again looking to buy new CD's; once again enjoying a long lost hobby.The remote is aluminum and a nice change from all the other plastic remotes that I own. The build and appearance of the player is first rate. I like the blue lights and display on full. It just makes the player, in my opinion, look very cool.This is the CD player I was looking for. Great build, high class appearance, and outstanding sound quality. Looks and sounds like a $1,000+ CD player for a lot less and comes with a 5 year warranty.I have no reservations in recommending the Emotiva ERC-3.Update 2/28/15: After 3 weeks this player began dropping audio on both previously played and brand new CDs. I requested a new replacement which took 6 weeks to arrive. When it did arrive it was DOA in the box. After another 3 weeks of trying to get another new player sent to me, their solution was to send me a refurbished unit. Really? I paid full price for a "new" unit and they want to send me a refurb. No thanks Emotva. In short, my customer service experience wasn't the best (long waits for replacement, emails not responded to in a timely manner), 2 bad units, and the unthinkable that a refurb would be a good replacement for a new player that was less than 30 days old (and in the case of the DOA in the box unit - 0 days old). Thankfully Amazon took care of me as a customer and gave me a full refund on this purchase.While this CD player sounded great while it worked, it's not the only great sounding CD player available. I will not be buying another Emotiva product ever, and I am retracting my previous recommendation of the Emotiva ERC-3.

I would have easily given this player 5 stars of I didn't have to return it. My experience was similar to some others who ended up having issues, my unit started off really well but started to develop noise when spinning a CD and after being on for a while it would have an issue when one track ends and the next begins there would be silence for up to 5-10 seconds and then start to play that far into the track. I kept it right up until I had to return it hoping the transport just needed to settle in or something but the issues did persist and before I sent it back out started having issues playing certain CDs at all. It is really unfortunate, as much for us as emotiva, it did play near flawlessly when I first got it. That's all I personally can really say, when it works correctly it is a top contender! I really love Emotiva and own other products from them and I do have respect for them and the attempts they make to continue to bring us reference gear for affordable prices, many companies end up cashing in on the growth and name they make for themselves in the affordable market but Emotiva has stuck with us and continues to give back to this community. Sincerely, thank you and there'll be a shelf kept open with your name on it.